Challenge Rules

Friday, 28 November 2014

Thank
you so much to all those who played along with our November challenge
- Using a non Christmas stamp to create a Christmas image! We loved how you were all very inventive, turning your regular stamps into all kinds of new shapes!

The standard of the entries was really high this time, but there can only be one winner! That honour goes to.........

If the Winner could Email me (just click the 'posted by' name at the bottom of the post),
then I can pass on all the details about the prize, publication and of
course the Guest DT slot! Top Three, please Email me for your winners
buttons to display on your blogs! For anyone else who
would like to, please feel free to grab the button below....

A
huge THANK YOU to all those of you that took part in the November challenge!

The first Friday of every month will
see the start of the next challenge.... so check back here next Friday, 5th December to see which technique is next!

Wednesday, 26 November 2014

Our January issue goes on sale on Friday 5th December and we thought you'd like a little sneak peek at some of the lovely projects we have in store for you! So here are a few detailed snaps of what's inside...

We hope these sneak peeks have you feeling inspired and excited for what's to come! Happy Stamping!

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Hello and welcome to the next in our series turning the spottlight on some of Craft Stamper's regular contributors. Today's designer is also cover girl for this month's issue - her clean and crisp style will be familiar to many! Here she is in her own words...

Hi there I'm Lydia Evans. I'm a wife and mother to two gorgeous (if I do
say so myself) Mini-Mes and a messy crafter. I have crafted in some way,
shape or form for as long as I can remember, my Aunty calls me sticky
fingers as even when I was little I was always gluing and cutting
something.

I joined the fantasticly talented Craft Stamper team
in November last year... I can't even believe that it has been a year
already! I first applied for the Ready, Set, Stamp submission on the
Craft Stamper blog, it was for a Valentine's card using teal, pink and
red. I couldn't believe it when it was accepted, (red, teal and pink is
now one of my favourite colour combos now and always reminds me of this
:). A couple of weeks after this there was a DT call and I threw my hat
into the ring and it blew my socks off when I had a 'yes' to this!

Favourite project #1

Even though there are lots of techniques on this card all of the white
space keeps it looking clean and fresh...... Plus how cute is that
paper-pieced bear all wrapped up for the snow?!?!?!

I
was a scrapbooker before I really got into stamping but after joining a
DT (Make The Day Special Stamp Store) that specializes in bringing
stamps from the US I fell in love with the super cute images and that I
could make a little piece of art with just some stamps, card and ink.

Favourite project #2

I
love using stamp sets for a different look that they were made. /This
little boat set was definitely made for a guy in mind but I do have a
tendency to prettify or girly up images.... oh and pink waves and
flowery sails... swoon.

A: I
would say that my style is Clean and Simple-ish. I do like to add in
lots of different techniques while keeping the look pretty clean. My
cards range from cutesy images to florals.... I do have a 'thing' for
chintz florals.... obsession may be the word.

Favourite project #3Mixing girly and graphic is a huge love of mine. I just adore how the
striking black and white stripe juxtaposes the soft watercolour flowers
made even softer by their white outline.

A: My inspiration
comes from many different sources ... clothes, challenge blogs but
mostly when I see I stamp set and I think of all of the things I could
do with it. Although I do like and use Pinterest it is not really my
'go-to' when Mr Mojo has packed up to go on a weekend break.

Favourite project #4

There seems to be a trend for night-time sky techniques and this card
is one of the favourites I have made using the technique - plus it's
just a super cool card!

Friday, 14 November 2014

Our
current Take It, Make It challenge is all abouttaking a regular, every day stamp, and using it to create a Christmas themed project! We have had fun looking at the entries so far, some fabulous imagination there!

The
DT have been having loads of fun creating some more more projects for you to
feast your eyes upon, brace yourself, there is rather a lot of eye candy on show!

Winner of the September Challenge: Carol FaggCarol has used a heart shaped stamp to create the tree.

Friday, 7 November 2014

In our December issue (on sale today!) on page 23 (Stamping Contrasts) we have incorrectly labelled the card at the top of the page stating that it was made by Christine Dark when it was actually made by Chrissie Stokes. Our apologies for this error.

We were all very impressed with the entries for the October Challenge, you all really outdid yourselves! Can't wait to see how you tackle the theme for this month!

In the December issue of Craft Stamper, Georgina Ford has created a georgeous Christmas card. Some of the stamps she has used are not exactly Christmas themed, but she has turned them into some stunning Christmas imagery! This is the theme for the November Challenge....

Use a non Christmas stamp to create a Christmas themed image!

This may sound complicated, but once you get thinking, I'm sure you will dream up all mannerof wonderful creations. To give you a head start,the DT have excelled themselves and come up with some fabulous ideas for you to share!

Before the eye candy though, there is the not-so-small matter of the prizes!

The Artistic Stamper is a shop full to bursting with fabulous stamps, stash and ideas galore!

The prize this month is this set of stamps..

Wonderful design, and so useful for all manner of projects!

PLUS:The Design Team will have a look at all your gorgeous work, and choose
their Top Three..... and the overall Winner will get published in Craft
Stamper magazine! Yes, the winning
entry will appear in the UK's number one stamping magazine! AND: The Challenge winner will be offered a Guest Designer spot for an upcoming challenge!

So, a fab set of stamps, publication AND a guest DT slot? What are you waiting for?!

Oh yes, the eye candy!

If you click on each artists name, it will take you to their blogs where there may well be more pictures and instructions for these gorgeous creations!

Flowers, circles, wings, hearts, leaves, branches.....loads of non Christmas stamps used to create some Christmas projects! We really hope that gives you some ideas, and we can't wait to see what else you come up with!

All the Challenge guidelines are now over on the right hand sidebar, please have a quick read before entering, we would hate for your project to be ineligible to win the prize!

All this and much more, plus our adorable seasonal Free Stamp, this month designed for us by Visible Image. Don't forget to check out our Free Stamp Makes feature for inspiring ideas on how to use it! Until then here's a little sneaky peek...

The November issue of Craft Stamper is available in WHSmiths and all good craft stores across the UK from Friday 7th November. If you want to subscribe so you never miss a copy, call our friendly Customer Service team on 01684 588599 to put in your order now.